“Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous, moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized – whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ – but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!” 1 Corinthians 9:19(MSG)
This scripture totally makes me think of the movie Avatar. Go ahead….read the verses again and think about that movie…if you haven’t seen it….what are you waiting for?! Go see it, then come back and read the verses again.
When I saw Avatar for the first time, I thought it was a really great movie that was worth spending $14 to see in 3D. When I saw it the second time it hit me; this movie is all about missions! Then when I saw it the fifth time….no….just kidding….I’ve only seen it twice….so far.
For those of you who haven’t seen it, the story takes place in the future on a planet called Pandora. It’s inhabited by the Na’vi, a ten foot tall blue-skinned species. They live in harmony with nature and worship their mother goddess called Eywa. Apparently this planet has a valuable mineral that humans want their hands on. Since Pandora’s atmosphere is toxic to humans they have to use breathing masks….to breathe. 🙂
A group of scientists grow Na’vi-human hybrid bodies called Avatars that are operated through a mental link. So this crippled guy who used to be in the Marines gets the chance to have his own Avatar and he basically, without even knowing it, is an example of what a missionary should be. You should really see it.
Pretty soon I will be traveling to 11 different countries, all with different cultures, religions, history, languages. I can’t expect to arrive in the country as an American and think I have all the answers. Some may go on a mission trip and think, “Well if they would only do it the way we do in America, then their lives would be better.” Guess what? They’re not in America!
As I watch the movie Avatar, I’m reminded how humble and teachable I must be in the countries I have the honor of visiting so that maybe in the 1 month I’m there, I can build the trust of the people I come in contact with in order to share with them the story of Jesus so their lives may be changed forever! I’m excited to learn new things, eat new things, try new things, meet new people; but all of that is for one reason: to make Jesus famous. The end.
